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Tactics Reading - Undestanding Defeat / Defence of Duffer's Drift / Battle of Booby's Bluffs


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For what its worth, here is some lighter reading I recommend for members of the forum.  Gamers will enjoy the tactical takes from military history.  Scenario designers might find it helpful for AI plans; forces, deployment, and programming.

The book " Understanding Defeat: How To Recover From Loss In Battle To Gain Victory In War" by Trevor N. Dupuy.

ISBN-10: 1557780994
ISBN-13: 978-1557780997

A nice survey or summary covering history's Great Captains and individual actions, especially Huertgen Forest. 
The copy I borrowed was purchased by a friend at Half-Price books.  Check your library, Amazon, ABE books, or Biblio to see what suits you. 

 

I liked the checklist for how to avoid defeat.  Specific to this forum; A and B for scenario designers, C for players. 
 

DuPuy's Causes of Defeat
A.  Unfavorable Circumstances Beyond the Control of the Commander

1.  Overwhelming Odds

a.  Superior Numbers
b.  Superior Armor
c.  Superior Fire Support

(1) Artillery
(2) Air Support

d.  Superior Skill

2.  Unfavorable Environment

a.  Weather
b.  Terrain
c.  Roads / Communications (LOC)

3.  Hostile Fortifications
4.  Inferior Technology
5.  Chance or Luck

B.  Unfavorable Circumstances the Commnader May Influence

1.  Lack of preparation for battle
2.  Inferior-quality Forces

a.  Quality of manpowere
b.  Training / experience
c.  Doctrine

3.  Poor Morale
4.  Casualties
5.  Subordinate failure / error

C.  Failure of Command

1.  Surprise
2.  Inferior Leadership

a.  Self-delusion (perception)
b.  Confused mission
c.  Weakness of will

3.  Inadequate Control

a.  Poor reconnaissance / intelligence
b.  Poor planning
c.  Faulty tactics
d.  Inadequate logistics
e.  Breakdown in communications

 

The following are a century old, a bit tongue in cheek, and refreshingly helpful.

"The Defence of Duffer's Drift" is a 1904 British army platoon leader's learning guide set in the Boer War.  The online version I liked best is the USMC "Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 12-33, The Defense of Duffer's Drift".    You can download at URL = http://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/FMFRP%2012-33%20The%20Defense%20of%20Duffer's%20Drift.pdf


"The Battle of Booby's Bluffs" is a 1921 a US Army treatment in similiar vein for larger units. 

You can read at URL = http://regimentalrogue.com/boobysbluffs/booby0.htm
You can download at URL = https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCYQFjABahUKEwiv_sD6pOXHAhVMcT4KHSYzCfk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forgottenbooks.com%2Fdownload_pdf%2FThe_Battle_of_Boobys_Bluffs_1000213718.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHMRyoJP_coGEioxDgy9yRtzf8A8A&sig2=9a_ypLROJn8MgcTFQ-p9vQ&bvm=bv.102022582,d.cWw

 

Hope you enjoy.

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